Author: Noah Schwabe

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City breaks provide opportunities for relaxing weekends that go a long way into helping one to recharge batteries before moving on with life. If you plan to take a city break as a group it’s good to make group hotel bookings early for great bargains. Sample some suggestions for ideal city breaks.

BARCELONA

Barcelona forms a unique combination of blissful relaxation on a sun-kissed beach and compelling city break. You can sunbathe on the beautiful beaches without having to leave the city. Ramble down the La Rambla and enjoy the interesting activities going on, interact with foreigners as you snack on the streets restaurants and enjoy the views famous monuments. In the evening you can stroll along the three kilometre Barceloneta Beach which is easily accessible and where wild parties never come to an end.

Beijing is one of the ancient four capitals of China: rich in culture, numerous temples, majestic palaces and enormous stone walls. It is an ideal destination for the perfect city break. It is known to habor the most restaurants per square kilometer than any other city in the world and with the most bikers in the world.

You can explore its Forbidden City which boasts of numerous palaces and courtyards and surrounded by a 53 meters moat. The Great Wall of China, the must see Temple of Heaven which is even larger than the Forbidden City are some of Beijing’s unique highlights.

MARRAKECH

Marrakech is simply magical, from the time you exit the airport you are welcomed by unfamiliar kaleidoscope of colors, bustling streets and stunning background of the shimmering snow capped High Atlas ranges. Better still, it isn’t too far away from Europe, meaning you won’t have jet lag by the time you touch down.

You will be intrigued by the strong mix of ancient and modern architecture that form the basics of this charming city. Discover the Old Medina and explore the famous Jamaa el Fna square which is crammed with interesting activities that form an extraordinary scene of story tellers, dancers, musicians and street cafes.

Visit the Saadian tombs, take a bath in a Hammam and explore the neighboring rural villages and get acquainted with the interesting culture of the Berbers.

BANGKOK

Bangkok is the most popular destination in Asia; it warmly welcomes you to its sun drenched beaches, ancient temples and vibrant culture. The vibrant nightlife is enticing with its extravagant shows, bustling street markets and parades. Its chaotic China town is lined up with market stalls, food stands and multiple gold shops. Visit the National Museum an appreciate Hindu and Buddhist art or stroll in the impressive Grand Palace and enjoy its captivating history then head for a relaxing Thai massage to help you calm your nerves after such a long day discovering Bangkok.

VALLETTA

Valletta is the capital of Malta and wouldn’t necessarily make it on to everyone’s list of city breaks, but it really is a fantastic place to visit. With amazing architecture, beautiful winding cobbled alleys to match Seville and other Spanish classic, and sitting on a beautiful waterfront, a holiday in Valletta won’t let you down.

AND ONE BONUS SPOT – HONG KONG

For any shopping addict the city of Hong Kong will come in handy. It is a shopper’s paradise with a satisfying treat for people from all walks of life. You are able to buy anything your heart longs for from clothes and shoes to electronics, antiques and fresh farm produce from the streets of Hong Kong. The popular ladies market in Tuong Choi Street sells ladies clothes while the Temple street market sells electronic gadgets at reasonably fair prices. At night this place is transformed into a hubbub of restaurants where budget eaters fill their tummies with sweet smelling delicacies.

Fitness is a key part of our lives; by looking after ourselves both mentally and physically we can have longer, more healthier lives. Although we all know this, finding motivation to keep on top of our fitness and well being can be surprisingly tough, even if you’re a fitness fanatic. This is where sports personalities, big names within the sporting world, come into play – by following the news of someone you admire, you can inspire yourself on a daily basis to take the necessary steps to improve your fitness.

One sports personality that is truly an inspiration if ever one is needed is Katina Hosszu, a 25 year old Hungarian swimmer who has set an impressive four world records, a feat that isn’t easily accomplished. What makes Hosszu’s story so remarkable is that she had to overcome a lot of mental anguish to succeed. After the disappointment of not winning a gold at the 2012 London Olympics, the swimmer fell into a state of depression, which nearly ended her career as a competitive swimmer.

Through sheer determination and a lot of training, she managed to refine her talent even further to then smash many records. In an interview with the swimmer and her coach, the swimmer revealed that there’s a lot more to maintaining your fitness than simply eating right and working out – it takes dedication and setting goals. From preferred music choices to how she structures her training, the insight Hosszu gives anyone following her progress is immense, and can definitely stir an individual to act.

Although inspiration is needed to stay on track, it can sometimes be difficult to do that when away from home, with our living spaces often being our motivational hubs. This is where portable technology actually helps fuel a healthier lifestyle; by connecting to your tablet on the move, you can receive the latest news, tips, and even odds on what Hosszu and other influential personalities are doing. In turn, this then motivates us to push that extra mile. One such means of following the sporting world is via betting sites, like those from Betway Sports, a leader within the industry. Some may question why a betting site, and if so whether there is a betting site that loads well on iPads?

As unusual as it may sound, a betting website is a great means to gain sports news because, not only do they offer customers odds, but they also need to keep abreast of sporting changes in order to deliver a good service. And even if such a destination only provided betting odds, those tips could in turn spur you on if they were favourable, for they show the amount of work that has gone into achieving such praise. Furthermore, well known companies tend to develop compatible versions of their websites in order to deliver seamless coverage, which makes keeping up to date wherever you are convenient and easy. Once again highlighting how simple it is to gain fitness inspiration from sometimes unlikely sources.

Exploring a new city is a great way to spend a weekend or short break in the UK, but there’s one thing you always need to be prepared for – rain. Fortunately, since this country is no stranger to wet weather, finding fun things to do in a downpour is never too difficult – especially if Newcastle is your destination.

Below, I’ve listed some ideas of how to spend a rainy day (or several) in the city, while you can find information on hotels in Newcastle here.

The Discovery Museum

One of the best places to go when the heavens open is the Discovery Museum, which is in Blandford Square. This brilliant museum is the ultimate place to learn about all things Newcastle and Tyneside, because its collections focus on a wide array of local technological and scientific discoveries, not to mention the area’s maritime history.

The displays change regularly and are interactive, making it a great place to take the kids, but it’s equally fascinating for adults. Coming here, you can find out all about historical fashions, military history and key technological discoveries, including Joseph Swan’s historic lightbulbs (which you can see a replica of in the museum).

Plus, there are dynamic large-scale displays such as the Turbinia, which was invented in Tyneside and was the very first ship to be powered by a steam turbine. The ship sits in the entrance to the museum, making a huge impact as soon as you walk in.

The Garden Shed

Located in historic stables in Gibside in Gateshead is the Garden Shed – an attraction that’s a little hard to describe. It combines arts and crafts with shopping, giving visitors the opportunity to do everything from meet artists and buy crafts to make things and even get a massage!

It’s open from 11:00 to 15:00 every day, with a number of artists always onsite. Because there’s such a lot to do, it’s great for families, while it’s also suitable for multiple visits across your holiday, simply because you can do something different each time you’re here.

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

And if you like the sound of immersing yourself in art on a rainy day, you should definitely head to the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, which is in a dramatic building on the bank of the River Tyne.

This is no ordinary art gallery. Indeed, it has no permanent collection, instead offering a diverse mix of temporary exhibitions and events. What’s more, it’s the largest gallery of its kind in the world.

Another great thing about it is that it often features exhibitions by artists from the local community, which means that by coming here you can learn more about local art as well as international works.

Blue Reef Aquarium

One of the best things to do if you’re travelling with children, a trip to Blue Reef Aquarium cannot fail to delight parents and kids alike. You’ll find it on Tynemouth’s Grand Parade, where it’s open from 10:00 to 17:00 seven days a week.

Talks and feeding displays take place throughout the day, which gives everyone the chance to learn a bit more about the creatures they see. In the tanks here you’ll come face to face with a great variety of marine life, including playful California sea lions, harbour seals, toothsome black tip reef sharks and adorable otters.

Plus, over in the Amazonian exhibit, you can see monkeys – not your usual aquarium resident! These include the cotton top tamarin, which is a critically endangered species and one children are bound to be enchanted by.

It’s that time of year when it is time to start thinking about the Grand National. I know that all of us in the UK absolutely love this race and enjoy having a little flutter on it, whether it is one pound or one hundred nearly all of us will try our luck. The Grand National 2015 promises to be a real treat with some fantastic horses vying for favouritism before the off. Some times people choose their horse at random based on it’s name, but personally I think it is a much better idea if you make a more informed decision. We all want to see our horse leading the pack at the final corner don’t we? Here are some great little insider tips that will help you pick the best of the bunch. Good luck!

Consider the history

It is always a good idea to look at the horses that have run in the previous year’s race. You will be able to see how well they have done and how much they understand the course. The Grand National is one of the toughest races in the world, so picking a horse that has proven it can complete the course is a real bonus. With the high fences and large field you want to make sure that your runner is not going to be overwhelmed by the whole event.

Look out for the form

A very good guide for the horses is how they have performed earlier in the season. By looking at the results of some of the earlier races in the season you will be able to get a good idea of what type of form your horse is in and how they are shaping up for the Grand National. The good thing is that they will usually have run against horses that are also entered into the race, so you can see which horses are leaps and bounds ahead of the competition quite easily!

Keep an eye on the press

In the weeks leading up to the race you will see more and more articles appearing in the national newspapers about horses to watch. You will also notice that there are a lot more jockeys on talk shows than usual, they are on there talking about which horses they think will run well and who they think we should back. That’s expert advice for free on the tv, so don’t switch channel because you never know if they could be giving you the winner!

Stained and colored teeth are very unattractive and no one wants to be in that position. Dentists have come up with ways of reversing this situation and in fact whitening the teeth. A few years ago this technology hadn’t set in and people with stained teeth had to live with the condition. Thanks to the modern technology which has led to medical advancement which has led to this solution. Today, you can choose from so many different teeth whitening products that are available on the market. Chicago Teeth Whitening experts has made this easy for you. They offer experts advice on both professional as well as home solutions. The number one sure solution is to visit your dentist.

However, many people fear visiting the dentist because of the trauma that develops since childhood. Moreover, quite a significant number of people cannot afford the costs of visiting a dentist. Chicago experts go a step further to offer alternative advice on how people can whiten their teeth. There are some teeth whitening products out there in the market which if used correctly, regularly and consistently can yield great results. The cost of these products is very cheap compared to professional whitening. Most of these products costs less than $30 which most people can afford.

It is however not advisable to use home techniques as there can be some side effects. These chemicals used can react differently to different people and the process might not work very well. A dentist or another health professional will be in apposition to examine you and offer you the best solution which will fit you perfectly. There are some factors such as gun line, cheeks and tongue at play when using home whitening products. Your health is not worth the risk and definitely worth the extra buck.

Chicago Teeth Whitening experts ensure that they offer the best services possible and at the most affordable costs. After whitening your teeth, they also offer corrective treatment which ensures that damages to the teeth exterior and cracks are repaired restoring the teeth to their natural condition. The process ensures that you get your smile back and restore your self-confidence as well.

Another school year is rounding up and it’s time to start thinking about what to do and where to go this summer with your children. It can be a stressful time, the children have lots of time to occupy and we as parents still need to keep working and going about our regular schedule. It’s a lot of pressure on parents. We want our children to be looked after and not spending their entire vacation in front of a TV or video game screen.

If you are looking for a list of options that will keep your child busy, entertained, learning and active this summer keep reading to find out how.

Tutor

The summer break is a long one and often students get back into school in the fall and spend a good portion of first month relearning things they learnt last year. Now is the perfect time to capitalize on maintaining what they have studied so far and to pick up the slack on subjects they were struggling in. Finding a tutor can be a great way to keep your child on the straight and narrow. Tutoring doesn’t just have to be academics either. Consider hiring a tutor to teach your young one how to play an instrument or learn a language. One on one learning time with a tutor is an excellent way for your child to learn, and interact this summer.

Summer Camp

It’s important for children to be active and outdoors. At summer camp a child learns a lot about friendships, social skills and discover a lot about themselves. Placing your boy or girl in a summer camp is a fun for them and convenient for you. Summer camps can be focused on an interest such as sports, music, religion or academics. Speak with your children and discuss the prospect of learning a skill while making friends and doing some fun activities.

Sports or Leagues

The summer is a perfect for experimenting with new sports and hobbies. Your child may discover something they are brilliant at. Just like summer camps, friendship and teamwork skills will be developed when your child plays sports. It doesn’t have to be competitive, just something to get them out of their comfort zone and experience new activities. Perhaps your child isn’t very physically active, there or many leagues like chess or art or science clubs that children can participate in.

What does it take to become a good professional landscape photographer? Well there are many qualities needed, for example one needs to be fit both physically and mentally. Imagine the shot you are longing to capture is up on a mountain or hill which requires you to continue on foot when no other form of transport is of any use You have to be able to trudge on wearing warm heavy clothing whilst lugging weighty expensive equipment, this takes strength and stamina, therefore fitness is a number one requirement.

Taking hundreds of shots of your subject is not necessarily the right way to find your ultimate composition, whereas if you make only a few but selective shots that you feel satisfied with, you come to realise that patience leads to quality and that is the order of the day.

The weather plays a pivotal role in your work and as everyone knows it has a habit of instantly changing it’s mind. To the photographer this can be a Godsend or a nightmare therefore one must go properly equipped to deal with these vagaries that nature will throw at you. Warm clothing and suitable protection for your expensive camera equipment are so important along with everything a survival kit comes with. By ensuring this the photographer will remain confident, safe and retain motivation.

If you want to capture a sunset for example arrive early and scout the area out arund your location selecting the optimum vantage points. It is silly to arrive with only minutes to go and then realise that the best shot would have been achieved on the other side of the of the valley. As well as getting there early it is well to remember it pays to stay a little later as you never know what might occur. Avoid staying in one spot at your location, move around the area and make full use of the changing mood and light of your subject.

Make sure the equipment is of the best standard, one of the most important pieces is a good quality tripod, essential on varying terrain and leaving you hands free. Find out what other colleagues use in their work and view the results on line. If you are impressed with the results then maybe this model of camera or another may well be suitable for you and your aspirations. Again the lenses you choose will dictate what type of shot you wish to make depending on the time of the day, do I use a filter for this or that subject. It’s a matter of finding out what the really good practitioners are using to make their mark on professional landscape photography.

There are many professionals that are easy to find on line who are are willing to share their trade secrets from the written page or more excitingly on photo workshops all over the world in stunning locations. There you can gain some real hands on, invaluable practical experience. So whether it be abroad or at home, just click on and the world is truly your oyster.

The kids need to get new shoes for school. The car needs a service. The kitchen tap is broken and you forgot when the plumber is coming to fix it! Does this sound like you? With so many things happening in your daily lives it can be hard to keep up with what you’re doing and what needs to be done. If you’re looking for a reprieve, you’ve come to the right place!

Get Online!

One of the best and most convenient ways to get your life organized is to take it online – and not the social media kind of online. If your struggle is more around what you need to get from the store, or what your kids’ school supply requirements were, signup for an online note taking service that can let you take notes and access them anywhere you are. One of the great advantages of these services is that you can add notes on the fly – say for example you’re at your child’s dance class and the teacher reminds you to get a ‘pink, size 5 pair of ballet shoes with a green flower on them’. You can quickly add this very specific item to your list right there and then and check it off your digital list when you’re at the mall.

Have the Work Done for You

Having trouble getting to the grocery store or find that you’re constantly getting home and realizing you forget some vital items? You’re not alone. Look for a reputable service such as Peapod that can do the hard work for you and take your grocery order online via your smart phone and have it ready to be picked up without you having to leave your car! These are the kinds of services that can speed up your daily errands.

Assign Your Tasks

You may have heard the word ‘delegate’ thrown around in an office, but that doesn’t mean it can’t apply to your life. If your kids have an important date coming up or a special requirement before class, put them in charge of it. Take some time to show them how you yourself manage their daily tasks and give them the opportunity to do it for themselves. Not only is this a great learning experience for them, it’s one less item that you have to think about as you rush around.

With just these three great tips you will be well on your way to reducing stress and ensuring your daily life runs a little smoother. Remember, they only work if you stick with them, so don’t be afraid to really give them a try and see how beneficial they can be.

Buying a gift for the baby of a friend or your family can sometimes be a tricky task. You want to make sure that the gift you buy is appreciated by the parents and also something that is not just going to be thrown in to a cupboard and forgotten about.

To help you through the minefield of buying the ideal baby gift we have drawn up a list of 5 essential tips that you should follow. Take them in because they’re going to make your life a lot easier in the future. Do you have any great tips that you’d like to share with everyone? Or any experiences you think can help? All you have to do is pop your thoughts down in the comments section below this article, I can’t wait to read them.

Is the present practical, sentimental or for the future?

This is a very big question that you need to ask yourself; do you want a present that is practical, a present that will be used for a long time or maybe you would prefer to buy something like an ornament with sentimental value.

Practical – clothing, blankets, nappies or baby blankets.

Long-term – toys, books, baby photo albums.

Sentimental – engraved gifts, rattles and keepsakes.

Picking the right size

When you’re buying clothes for a baby the best idea is to pick the size 0-3 months and upwards. Don’t worry if the baby is newly born because in the first few months babies grow rapidly, buying new born sizes is just a waste when buying a present because after a few months they will no longer be of use. The best materials to look out for are organic cotton and wool.

Don’t forget mum

Of course becoming a mother is a big gift within itself, but you shouldn’t forget mum when buying baby gifts. It’s always a nice little touch to buy something special. Some great ideas include; massage vouchers, a weekend away, candles or a big hamper full of goodies for both mum and baby.

If you are looking to not break the bank on gifts then always keep your eye out for bargains or groupon vouchers that will help you get some amazing deals!

We all like to stay active or have made plans to get fit in the new year as part of our many resolutions. One thing that is important, no matter what your goal, is to make sure that you have right type of athletic shoes on your feet when your exercising. So it is important that you pick a pair of shoes that match your routine and also your body.

Before you make a start you should set yourself a budget, be lenient because you might find that the perfect shoe for you are a little over budget. If they will improve your performance and make the experience better then they are certainly worth the investment. My advice would be to look for special offers or do as I do and check out what great discounts with groupon you can find.

Running Shoes or Cross-Trainers?

If your main reason for buying a pair of athletic shoes is because you jog or walk regularly then running shoes are the way to go. This is simply because they have been specifically designed for the heel-to-toe motion. I would almost certainly chose this toe of shoe per walking shoes because running shoes have been designed for a far wider range of foot type and they are also built to last much longer. Cross trainers are for you if your regular routine includes activities such as aerobics, kick boxing or weight lifting – really any activity that is perfumed on a tough surface where you will be moving from side to side.

What type of foot do you have?

There are many different designs of athletic shoes which cater for varying types of feet. They have been specifically designed to lessen the impact that your feet take so that it prevents injury and also improves performance. You should really get an expert to take a look at your feet to let you know what type of feet you have. But here’s a little guide if you want to do it yourself, you will have to look at the soles of a pair of worn shoes to tell.

– Top Outer Edge Worn – This means you’re a supinator, and supinators’ tend to have feet with high arches that will roll in an outward direction. To compensate for this you will need trainers that have cushioning which will absorb the shock.

– Evenly Worn – This means your feet are neutral and you plant your feet with an equal weight distribution. The ideal trainers for you will be ones labelled stability or moderate stability, which will give you an even balance between support and cushioning.

– Top Inner Edge Worn – You are what is known as a pronator, this means that your feet will always roll in an inward direction. Pronators’ feet commonly have either flat arches or low arches. The perfect trainers foryou will be the motion-control or high stability designs, they will make sure that you feet stay in a better position to be aligned with your legs.